Maxis/EA has ruined a great game!

I couldn't justify paying for a game I couldn't play until all cities were mereged, so I decided to move my one homeless sim to EA Land. What a joke! First, $500 to start is ridiculous! Heck, even TSO started with 10K. You could've at least given us that...nothing like regressing! I can't even buy my own property. Plus, everything is all about skilling and custom content. And payouts from money items is a total joke. I think I got something like $10 from one blackboard. That is BAD! Plus lag is so bad that I keep having to log off. Something better happen soon to get me to stay.

at least you started with 500. most of us started at 0 Maxis / EA actually saved the game and they are actually in the process of fixing the game and the lag. If they did not work as hard as they have the past few months, we would have already gotten more then likely, the 90 day notice of them closing it. Yes, i admit, it is hard and a struggle at first, but who needs a house right away? lots of places need roomies and are offering them to them that ask or who need it. work with it.. you may must realize how much more you like it then you think.

If you used to play before, you would remember beta days and / or days of Dragons Cove.. they were fun days LOL

nothing fun about lag all the time, pay cuts, no job promos, new sims that have paid accounts cant even get a job. I have a new sim, she has gotten a job 3 times today and when she lands at work, she is dressed in normal clothes and a message saying she cant work there and I look and she is unemployed. Too many problems at once here, and no-one is giving us straight answers. Either it can be fixed or it cant and if it cant then say so and we'll quit spending our money. No-where else in the world would any of us sit and wait like like this on anything with no answers. love the game or not, this cannot continue.

some? I know of one today...but do we have any idea as to when or even if these things can and will be fixed? the one that was fixed today was what...the bug where ya went home and you were green? why fix that one first? lol

Oh, I remember beta...loved it..it was fun...this isn't. And as far as being a roomie, yeah, if you like that kind of thing, fine...but I've never found being a roomie fun at all. Nothing against those who do...I am sure lots of people enjoy that, but it's just never been my preference since being an owner means I can control when my place is open and what happens in it. Oh, and I did hear people tonight talking about starting at 0 instead of $500. I thought that was weird since I thought everyone was supposed to have a start up amount. And maybe I started at $500, too, because I did see that I had $500 (which I assumed to be the start up amount) and then read that I had a $500 bonus, but still only had $500.

some? I know of one today...but do we have any idea as to when or even if these things can and will be fixed? the one that was fixed today was what...the bug where ya went home and you were green? why fix that one first? lol

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Because heaven forbid if you are green for any length of time. Can't have that, can we? Who cares if there are more pressing issues to take care of? And I'm paying almost $20 for two accounts WHY?

Oh, I remember beta...loved it..it was fun...this isn't. And as far as being a roomie, yeah, if you like that kind of thing, fine...but I've never found being a roomie fun at all. Nothing against those who do...I am sure lots of people enjoy that, but it's just never been my preference since being an owner means I can control when my place is open and what happens in it. Oh, and I did hear people tonight talking about starting at 0 instead of $500. I thought that was weird since I thought everyone was supposed to have a start up amount. And maybe I started at $500, too, because I did see that I had $500 (which I assumed to be the start up amount) and then read that I had a $500 bonus, but still only had $500.

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I am sure I will be shot down in flames for this reply........ but yes we all start off with $500 - and if someone didnt get $500 then they need to email Pari and tell her. Secondly, yes the lagging sucks, and I am sure the devs are aware of this. With regards to low payouts, I have to say that working at the bot factory, I managed to make about $4-6k in the last couple of weeks. So I dont know why people are sticking with single object payouts.....?

Lastly, I was not around for the "original" beta days - but just remember that is why EALand has "beta" tagged next to it. They have never done something like this before - merging cities, CC etc. So whilst I appreciate its frustrating, I would encourage you to hang in there, because I think we are going to see a great game emerge like a phoenix from the ashes!!!! *gets off soap box*

I couldn't justify paying for a game I couldn't play until all cities were mereged, so I decided to move my one homeless sim to EA Land. What a joke! First, $500 to start is ridiculous! Heck, even TSO started with 10K. You could've at least given us that...nothing like regressing! I can't even buy my own property. Plus, everything is all about skilling and custom content. And payouts from money items is a total joke. I think I got something like $10 from one blackboard. That is BAD! Plus lag is so bad that I keep having to log off. Something better happen soon to get me to stay.

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I am assuming you're a returning player? Well, the reason for the lower payouts is to keep inflation out. Don't know how long you have been gone either, but everyone was filthy rich before Luc came. This is all hard work because it is in Beta. But I am sure you, as well as all of us, will be thankful in the end.

I couldn't justify paying for a game I couldn't play until all cities were mereged, so I decided to move my one homeless sim to EA Land. What a joke! First, $500 to start is ridiculous! Heck, even TSO started with 10K. You could've at least given us that...nothing like regressing! I can't even buy my own property. Plus, everything is all about skilling and custom content. And payouts from money items is a total joke. I think I got something like $10 from one blackboard. That is BAD! Plus lag is so bad that I keep having to log off. Something better happen soon to get me to stay.

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I am assuming you're a returning player? Well, the reason for the lower payouts is to keep inflation out. Don't know how long you have been gone either, but everyone was filthy rich before Luc came. This is all hard work because it is in Beta. But I am sure you, as well as all of us, will be thankful in the end.

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Cruz,

Not a returning player...I've been a player since beta and never left. And I've heard that before...that I'll be thankful in the end, but I have yet to see anything good about the changes.

Thanks, I will e-mail Parizad then and ask what is going on with the start up amount.

But I had to laugh at your 4-6K at your job in a couple of weeks! OMG! I used to make that in a few DAYS and I never even had a sim job.

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LOL well Im glad you found humour in that! I know and I used to make that too! But now it just takes a little bit longer to do things - especially with a controlled economy. EA/Maxis are now dealing with peoples RL money in the game and cant afford it to go pear shaped. I would rather a controlled economy than an out of control one like we had in the production cities - that was just ridiculous and I actually found it boring! Here there is never a dull moment LOL!

Yeah, I still have a sense of humor...even though a lot of people don't get me.

Funny how different we are...I never found the old economy boring, and I always had fun. The new one I find boring as heck and am having no fun whatsoever. If things don't change soon, I may end up changing to a free account or canceling all together.

Yeah, I still have a sense of humor...even though a lot of people don't get me.

Funny how different we are...I never found the old economy boring, and I always had fun. The new one I find boring as heck and am having no fun whatsoever. If things don't change soon, I may end up changing to a free account or canceling all together.

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Well its good to know we can find humour in a frustrating situation, and honestly, I can understand peoples frustrations. But I am the eternal optimist ! I should be one of the official cheerleaders LOL. Why do you think the new one is boring?? Is it because you cant make enough $$ to spend? You dont own your own lot? Why do you think? I would be really interested to know....if you dont mind telling that is

Well its good to know we can find humour in a frustrating situation, and honestly, I can understand peoples frustrations. But I am the eternal optimist ! I should be one of the official cheerleaders LOL. Why do you think the new one is boring?? Is it because you cant make enough $$ to spend? You dont own your own lot? Why do you think? I would be really interested to know....if you dont mind telling that is

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Debslee,

I don't mind telling you at all...it's the same thing I've said all along. Money is a major part of it. First, because I can't buy things, including my own lot, and from what I've heard, building costs are outrageous even if you do have your own lot and can't even do pet pulls...Then there is payouts. I hate spending forever doing ONE job just to get a measly $10. Sim jobs haven't changed any, so there is no incentive for me to actually WANT to get a job. There are no casinos anymore, which was a major source of my enjoyment. Plus the fact that I spent 4 years or so working my butt off to get as far as I did only to get it taken away...money-wise that is. Then there is the fact that the cities we knew as home are GONE...Hello? How would you like it in RL if you were told your city, which is a big part of who you are, was being merged with the rest of the US and there were no cities? YUCK! No thank you!

Why! can you just play the game as is. I like the new City Merge, New economy myself.

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Playing the as is would be easier if A. I had NO memory of the way it used to be. and B. Maxis would've just shut down the old game and started over with a new game since this is clearly what it is and stop pretending that it is the old game that I loved. Make a TSO II with Custom content and no money.

I don't mind telling you at all...it's the same thing I've said all along. Money is a major part of it. First, because I can't buy things, including my own lot, and from what I've heard, building costs are outrageous even if you do have your own lot and can't even do pet pulls...Then there is payouts. I hate spending forever doing ONE job just to get a measly $10. Sim jobs haven't changed any, so there is no incentive for me to actually WANT to get a job. There are no casinos anymore, which was a major source of my enjoyment. Plus the fact that I spent 4 years or so working my butt off to get as far as I did only to get it taken away...money-wise that is. Then there is the fact that the cities we knew as home are GONE...Hello? How would you like it in RL if you were told your city, which is a big part of who you are, was being merged with the rest of the US and there were no cities? YUCK! No thank you!

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Ok I hear you with the money....but I too was getting frustrated with the payouts and its true, it can be demoralising when you get $10 for a tray of jam for 5 mins of work (I think that is the RL time - I might stand to be corrected here), then I decided to try out the bot factory, and you know I really enjoy it, then when I knock off there, I try and do some pizza. I really think that the emphasis is on group objects now, and correct me if Im wrong, I have heard from a founding member that in the "good old days of beta" thats all you guys did to make money, was with group objects.

Yep not having your own lot sucks - but isnt your home coming in the merge? Thats something to look forward to? No?
Yes its sad to say goodbye to a neighbourhood you "grew up in" - that I understand too. Some of us dont cope with change very well....I on the other hand love it - keeps me young and alive (all 30 years + shipping and handling) - never know whats round the next corner!!!! We like the old as we remember it! I dont think Ive convinced you (not my intention) but I sincerely hope that your gaming days take a turn for the better.

Yeah, we made money with group objects, but also single player objects. Plus, money object houses had contests, which made it worth while to go there. And no, my home isn't coming with the merge because my sim doesn't have a home. That's why I moved this sim...I figured I could play it while they were merging the other cities. What a joke that is!

WOW! Wouldn't everything be so much easier if we had all the money in EA Land and the house full of what you wanted and no lag or bugs what so ever. But guess what. . . the devs are real human people. They aren't perfect. They have to figure things out. Man give them a chance! They try to improve the game for you people and all you can do is complain and criticize the whole thing. If you want to make something good your gonna have errors to show you what is better. Yes I do want my sim and my home from AV. But guess what I know that I will get it someday. It's better than nothing. And if you think that your wasting your money I guess that you aren't looking that the game that we are all becoming to love, your just looking at what you don't have from the old game. I can't believe that there are so many complaints about this. We are all dealing with the same things. We can get through this together. Just wait it out.

so if you dont like the game just leave and dont complain about everything

[/ QUOTE ]You might see it as 'complaining' but many of us see it as constructive criticism.

If everyone "just quit" instead of making suggestions on ways we think things can be improved, there would be no game for anyone including the cheerleaders because there aren't enough of those to make the game profitable.

If we just sit back, keep quiet about the things that we know could be done better, and watch the game die ... then that wouldn't help anyone either.

Of course, the devs might ignore everything we say - but the simple fact of the matter is that many of us have far more experience, both of TSO and other online games - than most of the devs probably have. Being able to write code is far removed from understanding the dynamics of online communities - what they want to achieve might be a perfect theory but us humans rarely 'perform to expectations'.

Look at free accounts as one example. In theory, a great way to get people back into see the game and hopefully upgrade to a paid account. In reality, people are shoving 25 of them afk hiding in their properties to try and artificially inflate their hours to cheat their way up the list. I could have told them that would have happened, based upon my experience in other online games.

You might see it as 'complaining' but many of us see it as constructive criticism.

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yes AJ I agree with you in this way but the title of this post is for sure not a constructive critism. I dont talk about the many posts in here with critiscism, I talk about the few people which really just complain

Believe me...If we all did what you would like us to do because we have complaints...the game would be gone in two seconds flat. These boards are not just for the rah rah..great job, we love waiting for everything. They are for complaints as well, to vent our frustrations, talk about what we expect, and would like to have. I'd have to say...if you dont want to read our posts or dont agree with us, then stop reading the forums. As for myself...you betcha...if things dont either change soon or I myself hear from Lee that this situation can and will be fixed and not the cheerleaders and mods, then yes, I intend to go and I can guarantee I will not be the only one.

If you have checked the connectivity section, you will see that many of us have yet to get into EA Land even once. In my case, I have purchased a new computer, modem, security provider and tried every recommendation on these boards to enable me to log in. I have spent hours on the phone with Micro Soft and Hewlett Packard without success. Today I am considering returning my computer before the 14 day return policy is up. Consider yourselves lucky you at least can play. I envy you.

I couldn't justify paying for a game I couldn't play until all cities were mereged, so I decided to move my one homeless sim to EA Land.

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Hmm...why couldn't you play until all the cities are merged?

With all the slots available to us now, you couldn't make a couple of new ones?

Personally, I have so many empty slots and (GASPS) I have run out of ideas for sims to fill them all. I'm kinda stumped as to how I want to proceed strategically with them so I'll just relax and enjoy the show while I figure it out.

And yeah....I see the development team working like greased lightening getting this game together....and then I see how some people react and it truly is a show.

And yeah....I'll be a cheerleader for our dev team because the truth is...we have one of the hardest working, most proficient and most dedicated teams of any online game around.

Has any of the 'naysayers' stopped to think about how much our 'small team' is getting done and how quickly? It's just simply amazing and it really tells me how much they are dedicated to this game to work so deligently on TSO-EAland to make it work.

Believe me...If we all did what you would like us to do because we have complaints...the game would be gone in two seconds flat. These boards are not just for the rah rah..great job, we love waiting for everything. They are for complaints as well, to vent our frustrations, talk about what we expect, and would like to have. I'd have to say...if you dont want to read our posts or dont agree with us, then stop reading the forums. As for myself...you betcha...if things dont either change soon or I myself hear from Lee that this situation can and will be fixed and not the cheerleaders and mods, then yes, I intend to go and I can guarantee I will not be the only one.

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i also agree to you with this. i already told AJ that i dont talk about all the posts with telling their fruststrations and suggestions thats what i already did also.
i talk about people who say like the title of this thread says.
the game isnt ruined its in betatest. i already was playing the beta test 2002 and we had the same problems. normal complains, letting out frustrations, suggestions, with all this i agree and do myself. but i never would say they ruined a great game. the game was already ruined by players with the money exploit and now this game is going upwards again.

i have the lag also, i have also problems with CC, i have problems with errors and so on. but i dont say the game is ruined because it isnt

Ok, for any of you out there that don't want to get a lot because of the cost and not earning enough money to buy one, or simply because you are still waiting for your main sim to arrive from the remainder of the unmerged Cities, you are more then welcome to become a roomie at our lot.

I'm not asking you to host or keep the lot open or anything. You can come and go as you please. If you don't want to participate in making money you can hide and just chat, when Paul and I are there. Nothing else.
The only thing that I do ask is, that when your main sim arrives in EAland, and you are planning on just playing that sim then just hit the move out button. That is all I am asking. No explanation needed nor any hard feeling. I just want you guys to enjoy something in this game and stick around till the final merges have been done and you can return to your original home.

I dont agree that EA have ruined this game, and i think the best is yet to come, however i do feel that the devs are making rods for there own backs and creating alot of undue stress for themselves and us by certain recent actions...

CC is a great idea, its the thing thats keeping me in the game at the moment and i know there will be more to come like sofas and bathroom items

Has any of the 'naysayers' stopped to think about how much our 'small team' is getting done and how quickly? It's just simply amazing and it really tells me how much they are dedicated to this game to work so deligently on TSO-EAland to make it work.

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In another thread, you had this to say:
<blockquote><hr>

I realize some people may be frustrated but calling names and being jerks just doesn't do much to earn my sympathy at all.

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and this:
<blockquote><hr>

So I will not validate further anyone that wants to continue with attacking fellow members of this board by implying in negative tones that they are butt-kisser, chearleaders or any other such derogatory comments.

I think the problem is not just with payouts. Right now, that is what is affecting the sims ingame, but the lagging, not able to log in, 5 minute bug, etc... are also huge issues. Payouts have been talked about alot on this board. They are trying to stop botters. Now, dropping payouts is not the answer, but they have to try something. Right now, doing the factory job, I am making almost 1k per shift. This game has become what it was intended to be... you have to work for what you want. It will take time for them to adjust payouts and i know this has been said before, but it is not easy to accept. Coming from having 40+ million in AV to having nothing now in EAL, it's tough to adjust. But, we can and will adjust. The dev team will also adjust the payouts and the cost of objects accordingly. As more people move into the city, the cash in/cash out pool will grow in size. As people go through their objects and need more, they will start spending more money. As the merges happen, more people will need to buy things... which is a good thing for the game. Now, I am not saying to buy just for the sake of buying or "for the good of the game" but anything spent will be good.

For you Donovan:
Naysayer: To oppose, deny, or take a pessimistic or negative view.

What would you call all this absolutely foolishness going on here? Sometimes, I read these posts and I get a hardy laugh because it's utter and total nonsense.

These arguments are getting very old and very boring and are not constructive in any manner and actually divide the community and not build it up.

I have been a long time contributor of this community. As many in this community may remember, I was not always supportive of the devs. I was not always supportive of these changes. In fact, the first time I saw Luc in game, he was sooo close to being booted out of the house I was a roomie. My first impression was he was some blatant scammer.

I made it my business to read everything, get involved in everything, basically keep a critical eye on everything. I had to decide if I enjoyed the game enough to accept the changes and the bumpy 'restoration' project.

So we won't just jump on the pity wagon with the really negative people. Too bad.

I wouldn't say they ruined the game. Personally I think the game has no real basis for an economy. Jobs and money making objects are too boring to justify the low payout in order to balance economy. But on the other hand, there's 1000s of players who disagree, so it's just a personal opinion.

What ruined the game for me personally is pretty obvious:
Old TSO -&gt; Johnny Lace could design and build houses and host design contests to his heart's content. He had loads of customers and could build whenever he wanted

New TSO (EAland) -&gt; No customers, no lot designing, no possibilities to have lot design contests (costs for participants are too high).

So for me it's simple. I have cancelled my subscription and will hoover around a free player so I can login now and then to see if things have changed.

It's really unfortunate that I miss the ultimate dream of lot designers: more floors and custom content to build with, but apparently it's the way things are.

When the talks first started about the merging of the Cities and what would happen, we all were like "they want to do what?" And yes I was not not happy with the merge and complained and had my doubts and I was going to miss the feel of the individual Cities and etc. The worst part was the stand still waiting for the merge to happen. I never went to TC3, did not create a Sim when EAland first opened, because I was not going to leave the original City behind come hell and high waters.
Then they shut the Cities down, and if I wanted to play I had to get over my stubborness and create a sim in EAland. So we did, and you know, it isn't all that bad than what some make it out to be. My Sim started working, made money, skilled a little here and there and is pizzaing and she has a lot of things to show for, for the little time that I did play with her. I got very interested and fascinated with the CC aspect of it and once my other Simmies moved I started making money with them too. I must say I have done very well between Logic boards, Pizzaing and Robo factory, that I have just about replaced everything in my Main sims home and more. And it is because I wanted it bad enough ,that I was willing to work for it. Granted Paul slipped me a few hundred simoleons here and there, but the rest came purely from working.
As to People threatening other posters to leave and all the name calling and censored language, come on guys there is no need for that. You certainly would not tolerate such language or behaviour on your Lot and ban the offending sim in a heartbeat. So keep it civil guys.

Johnny Lace, yes it is hurting you the most, because the Building costs are outragous and no one can afford to pay you to build one of your Ideas. And I am hoping that once everything is merged the money/cost/economy will be high priority to the Dev's so that talented builders like you get a chance again to to shine.

I had a chance to look at you web page with the Lots that you build yesterday, and I am truly fascinated with what you can do. So I am hoping for the best and we can see you back in action soon.

I think maxis has done ecactly what they had too...At first I was very angry about the payouts in Ealand because my sims were homeless and I couldnt afford a lot..But It took me several weeks but I finally bought a cheap lot..It got me thinking in the old cities I could have done that in a day, And now at least I have to work hard to get what I need..Thus I am not getting bored with the game like I would have in an old city Please believe me when i say this to everyone angry about payouts ..I was angry to *read some of my posts* lol...But I do now see its for the better of the game..I still dont aprove of the ATMs And I would like the bugs and lag fixed as well..But hey I guess rome wasnt built in a day ..And this post is in no reply to anyone just my thought on it

So for me it's simple. I have cancelled my subscription and will hoover around a free player so I can login now and then to see if things have changed.

It's really unfortunate that I miss the ultimate dream of lot designers: more floors and custom content to build with, but apparently it's the way things are.

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Well, at least you aren't standing around getting hot, angry, frustrated and take it out on everyone else around you.

I think you'll be back very soon because CC is going to open the door for more designes that be used to build lots and many other things. We just need first thing first.

The hardest part of renovating the game is almost over, the city merges, getting everyone under one roof. We are on the edge of a dawning of a new generation of Sims Online.

I am soo excited to see everything unfold once the final city is merged and it's time to fire up our engines!

It is going to be very tough on players who were used to having easy access to money. But it's not always going to be like this. But nothing is set in stone and nothing is 'undo-able'. Once the devs don't have to concentrate on the merge, they'll have more time to devote to the nuts and bolts of what we do have.

But I could sit here and fuss about the lag or whatever else is fuss-able....but it's just not really worth my time because we are almost to the end of all this mess.

Does any one know if those of us is BF who are probably going to go a full month without full game access are going to get a refund of our monthly fee?

I am just a lurker and this whole transition has been absurd.

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Ok I am sorry but you have just made my day * starts laughing again*. You want EA/Maxis to reimburse you, because you have not been able to play your BF Sim for a month?
* Stops laughing* No, they won't reimburse you for it. It's is your decision not to make a Sim in Ealand and play and that option is available for you. So because you made that decision EA/Maxis is not obligated to reimburse you. Simple as that. I could have said, nope I'm not creating a sim in Ealand and waited out the merge till I had my main sims, but I certainly would have never asked to see if EA would have reimbursed me for that decision.
But nice try, and thanks for making me laugh on a day where things are just not going right.

I agree ...in the old cities we had way to much money and way to much of everything we possibly needed and it was boring. Now at least we have to work for stuff and we have something to do. And yes there are bugs but its kind of like going back to Beta. There are always bugs of some sort you just have to be patient and let the exterminators get rid of them. I've been playing since the beginning of beta and trust me the bugs your experiencing now are mild lol.

Be patient, do what you can, and things will work out <font color="purple"> </font>

I totally agree with you. I got used to the easy money also and took advantage of it. But I do like this better. And the other plus side is, we won't be held up by robbers anymore, because we are poor..so there is nothing to rob...lol.

I wouldn't say they ruined the game. Personally I think the game has no real basis for an economy. Jobs and money making objects are too boring to justify the low payout in order to balance economy. But on the other hand, there's 1000s of players who disagree, so it's just a personal opinion.

What ruined the game for me personally is pretty obvious:
Old TSO -&gt; Johnny Lace could design and build houses and host design contests to his heart's content. He had loads of customers and could build whenever he wanted

New TSO (EAland) -&gt; No customers, no lot designing, no possibilities to have lot design contests (costs for participants are too high).

So for me it's simple. I have cancelled my subscription and will hoover around a free player so I can login now and then to see if things have changed.

It's really unfortunate that I miss the ultimate dream of lot designers: more floors and custom content to build with, but apparently it's the way things are.

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I have a lot of respect for your designs and your design contests, Johnny, and it is true that the build mode has not kept pace with the changes in the buy mode.

But having said that, it is still up to *us* to use our creativity to adapt to the new order.

You make magnificent estates and towns....but everyone is too poor, now, to afford them.
You held design contests and restricted the entrys to size 3 lots......perhaps if you did the same with your designs, and made magnificent cottages, instead of mansions, you would have a wider customer base of people who could afford you....just to say they own a Johnny Lace home? Or put some of your experience and talent into writing up some changes that would help builders on the Wiki?

Nothing stays static....and least of all this game at this point in time. It is not a question of whether the game has changed, it is a question of whether or not *we* (builders) can adapt and change our vision, process and focus....and rulez at lot design in the new game.

I couldn't justify paying for a game I couldn't play until all cities were mereged, so I decided to move my one homeless sim to EA Land. What a joke! First, $500 to start is ridiculous! Heck, even TSO started with 10K. You could've at least given us that...nothing like regressing! I can't even buy my own property. Plus, everything is all about skilling and custom content. And payouts from money items is a total joke. I think I got something like $10 from one blackboard. That is BAD! Plus lag is so bad that I keep having to log off. Something better happen soon to get me to stay.

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There's a plethora of threads similiar to this, so I think this post could have been added to those, and also it shouldn't have been a shock the things that are going on in EAL because of all the talk that's been here regarding the low payouts, lag issues, connectivity problems, etc. etc. etc. For me, I've found that the most entertaining and beneficial thing has been to stay OUT of the money houses, and instead do the job tracks. The pay on the first few promo levels suck, however as you get higher up, the payouts far outweigh that of the single player money objects, and only take 10 in a given skill to reach top level, plus the required friend links, as opposed to getting 50-60% of the payout with 20.99 in a skill doing the single objects. The downside is that you can only go to work at certain times, whereas with the money objects you can do them to your heart's content, but many people say they do not wish to spend all their time making money anyway, so for those people having the shifts staggered like they are is a good thing. I think it'd be nice if there was a 'night shift' on the restaurant track so that those who *wanted* to work both shifts could, and those who logged on too late to catch the 10am carpool could go to work sooner than waiting for up to 24 sim hours to start. Can a sim work in more than one job track? If they can, I might just see if I can get a DJ job since I've already got creativity anyway for serenade, and the shifts are staggered so that I could still green between the end of the DJ job and the start of the waitress....but I've never known the answer to whether or not a sim can work two tracks at once.

Anyway, there's alot of ways to make this new game work to your advantage, it just requires breaking old habits and doing new things, which to the many that were 'in a rut/bored stiff' with the old way is a very positive thing. I know there are people who were happy with the way things were, but they are definitely the minority, so if EA hadn't made these changes the game would not only be gone for people who decided to close their accounts, it'd be gone for everybody. I suppose if you decide you don't want to continue paying you could just turn your account into a free one, but that would mean giving up all but one sim in each of TC3 and EAL, and would severely limit your play in EAL, even moreso than you say its already limited, although you'd have unlimited and unrestricted play in TC3, which IMO has less of the lag issues and problems than EAL seems to have for some reason.....at least the ones I've heard complaining about those things are the ones that have made EAL their *home* city. I spend more time in TC3 too because the players just seem to be happier, doing less complaining...I guess because alot of them are not premium players and are just grateful to have a game to play at all since many of them couldn't afford to subscribe even if they desperately wanted to. I'd suggest a change of environment to you.....I'm really surprised how my own attitude is affected either positively or negatively when I hang around people that do more or less complaining......more positive when I am around positive-minded people and negatively when I am around more pessimistic 'gloom and doom' types, but many people are unaffected by attitudes around them, and I admire those people sometimes, I really do LOL

Why! can you just play the game as is. I like the new City Merge, New economy myself.

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Playing the as is would be easier if A. I had NO memory of the way it used to be. and B. Maxis would've just shut down the old game and started over with a new game since this is clearly what it is and stop pretending that it is the old game that I loved. Make a TSO II with Custom content and no money.

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Well then, if I felt this way, then *I'd* PRETEND that the game had been shut down, if that's what it took to help me adjust to how things were...because the fact of the matter is 'TSO' as it was, is dead.....so for many of us we have put as much of the 'salad days' out of our mind and are just playing this new game for what it's worth, and are happy that the majority (but not all, of course) of the things we loved about TSO have been incorporated into this NEW game, called EA Land.

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